They were never the picture-perfect family.

But few expected their father–son relationship to become one of the most dissected — and contentious — in the public eye.

The Emerald Mine Rumors

The story began with whispers about an emerald mine in Zambia. Errol Musk, a South African electromechanical engineer, claimed he once part-owned an emerald mine during the 1980s. Elon, in later years, dismissed and downplayed this as an exaggeration — frustrated that the story was used to diminish his narrative of self-made success.

The contradiction fueled headlines. Was the mine a family fortune or a fleeting investment? To Elon, it was a distraction from the years of relentless work and risk that built Tesla, SpaceX, and his empire.

Jealousy and the Rift

Elon has rarely spoken warmly of his father, telling Rolling Stone in 2017 that Errol was a “terrible human being” and that their relationship was “painful.” Errol, for his part, has alternated between defending himself and criticizing his son — sometimes praising Elon’s brilliance, other times suggesting he’s “not as happy as people think.”

Friends close to the family say the rift deepened over business decisions, political comments, and Errol’s outspoken media appearances that blindsided Elon’s PR teams.

Public Feuds

Over the past decade, the feud spilled into tabloids. Errol gave interviews that seemed to needle at Elon’s image, while Elon tweeted cryptic remarks about “toxic people” that many assumed were aimed at his father.

The tension peaked when Errol confirmed he had fathered two children with his stepdaughter — a revelation that shocked the public and drew sharp condemnation online. Elon reportedly found the news “upsetting beyond words,” widening the emotional gap.

Scars That No Fortune Can Heal

Despite his fortune, fame, and status as one of the most powerful men on the planet, Elon Musk has admitted that some wounds never heal. The strained bond with his father remains one of them.

Family insiders say private reconciliation attempts have been fleeting at best — with old resentments quickly resurfacing. Theirs is a relationship defined as much by distance as by blood.